>"Looking up one of the most popular cat foods sold (Purina One) in this case specifically the Chicken and Rice version."
Well, I wouldn't consider that a premium brand (and believe me, they sell a LOT of premium stuff now). If you looked at those, especially ones that say "grain free" you won't typically see rice, corn, oats, or wheat. Some of what you listed isn't concerning:
- Mixed-tocopherols (preservative)
That is vitamin E
- Glycerin
That "should" be neutral
- Dried chicory root
Almost every cat food has that. It is an attractant. Not sure it is of much concern
- Dried carrots
Yeah, many brands slip some different vegetables and sometimes fruit into them. I am not sure what to think on that. Has allergy potential, for sure (and I had the hell of dealing with that before). Some of the theory is that as cats would eat their prey, they would also be eating "some" of what the prey ate, which could provide some additional vitamins and minerals.